More instigation from Toronto

The Toronto Sun's Terry Koshan is suggesting that the Red Wings have reassessed their goaltending situation and have named Chris Osgood their #1 guy:

November 24, Toronto Sun: The Detroit Red Wings did not figure to have goaltending problems this season, and expectations have held true. The man getting it done in goal, though, might not be the one they had in mind. Chris Osgood, it appears, has supplanted Dominik Hasek as the No. 1 goalie in Motown, though the 42-year-old Hasek won't concede as much.

"There are 60 games left and I know the way I practise and the way I see the puck, I know I'll play better," Hasek said. "I want to see more determination out of myself. I haven't done my job."

Trouble is, Hasek might not get an opportunity to improve his work skills unless Osgood gets hurt. The latter leads the NHL with a 1.65 goals-against average and is 10-1 with a .930 save percentage. Since returning to the Wings in 2005-06, Osgood's record is 41-10-11. The numbers this season help solidify the notion that Osgood, who is slated to start against Columbus tonight, has been making the big saves and Hasek has not.

Osgood, who turns 35 on Monday, won two Stanley Cups in his previous stint with the Wings. Given Detroit's long history, it's hard to believe that only Terry Sawchuk defended the Wings net more than Osgood has. The late Sawchuk had 352 wins for the Wings, compared with Osgood's 262. Another Hall of Famer, Harry Lumley, is third in franchise history with 163.

"You enjoy it more because your brain isn't scattered like it is when you're younger," Osgood said of his winning ways. "You're more focused. Not that it's easy, but you just know what to expect."

"Trouble is," Mr. Koshan, Wings coach Mike Babcock hasn't declared anything to suggest that Dominik Hasek is now a back-up goaltender. At present, starts are on an as-earned basis, but Babcock seems to be willing to split netminding duties, and he continues to insist that Hasek is ultimately the Wings' #1A goaltender.